Ebuzz News
Machel Montano’s ‘Like Ah Boss’ Documentary, 11 Years In the Making.
Machel Montano’s dedication and undeniable work ethic are the core character traits many will have the chance to see, in the documentary, ‘Like Ah Boss’. The man, who, for over four decades, has worn the crown of King of Soca, says beyond 2026, he plans on shifting his focus to other aspects of music and life, which he knows is necessary at this time. The documentation of his 45- year career in Soca music, took his team 11 years to complete and still, Machel says, there are things that have been left out – things he will eventually include in a subsequent documentary.
In a brief Q&A following the screening on February 10th at Movie Town, Port-of-Spain, Machel said it has not been easy. “This was quite a challenge for us. It took us 11 years to do this and it’s just part of the story. This isn’t even the whole story. This is just what we could’ve done.” The 11- time Road March King added, “It was just like, wanting to share everything with everybody. We have a love, everybody you see on that screen is a love,” said Montano, as he highlighted the dedication of some of his closest team members – one of whom is Soul, who has been at his side since 1986. “That film was really putting out everything that we see, hear and feel – the only thing you couldn’t do was smell or taste, but you could feel it. For me, I was really proud of what they put together,” he said.
Describing seeing the final version of the documentary as a magical experience, Machel told the audience that throughout the process, he made every effort to facilitate whatever was needed by the crew, admitting that it was all he could do amid his extraordinarily busy life.
THE YEAR 2015 WAS PIVOTAL
‘Like Ah Boss‘ was shot primarily in the year 2015. It was a significant turning point for him – a year he had committed to refocusing his attention and removing himself from the International Soca Monarch competition. Machel had vowed to go out ‘Like Ah Boss,’ and that he did, winning the title and going on to perform at several fetes in the aftermath of his crowning moment.
PHOTO: ANIL MATHI
Manager, Che Kothari, in analyzing his experience with Machel over the years, said, “It’s quite ridiculous watching him. We live it everyday. We’re going through it again in this season – back to back to back to back – right after this, we go straight to another show. To document that and to show people the power that you have within – when you have a message and you want to share that with the world and you relentlessly work towards that, that’s something that I’m inspired to shoot,” he said.
Kothari was a professional photographer when he met Machel in 2014 and according to the entertainer, Che’s arrival into his life was the equivalent of answered prayer. He said during one of his moments of vulnerability, in an apartment in the US, having experienced setback, he wrote in his journal the type of person he needed to be his manager and that person proved to be Che Kothari. “We are living in, and creating history and it’s a real honor to be beside this man and to be able to support that,” said Che.
EXPERIENCING DOUBT, FACING CHALLENGES.
“I’m going through some tough times right now, trying to reach the top of the mountain,” said Machel quite frankly, when asked whether he has experienced doubt over the years. “It’s all through the documentary,” he said, noting that as it pertains to the documentary, there was doubt as to whether the film was good enough. “We still don’t think it’s at the quality for us to get it to Netflix because it’s so much old footage that we can’t really get it to look better, to be cleaner. I am the procrastinating perfectionist. This is the first one. There will be another. There’s the Machel Montano book and we’re already working on the next version,” he said, noting that 2025 into 2026 has been a period of tremendous challenge for him. “There is a part of this story that we didn’t tell that is actually very actively happening between 2025 into 2026 and that is probably one of the biggest challenges of my life and that will be told as soon as we finish carnival and hopefully by next year we’ll be able to tell that part of the story,” said Montano.
Machel says there is always doubt. “We are always positively dissatisfied,” he admitted, saying despite the team’s feelings, he hopes everyone will enjoy what has been created for his fans and Soca music lovers around the world.
A NEW DAY IS COMING.
PHOTO : DEVIN ALLEN
A career that some have compared to that of International superstar, Michael Jackson, complete with highs, lows, celebrations and spectacles, Machel Montano says he has learnt and grown a lot over the years. “It’s fun to walk into your closet and put on something different, pretend to be somebody, role play but over the years, through all of that, I have realized that I really should be doing the opposite. Instead of putting on things, I should be taking things off,” he said, going on to explain that he has recently learnt that going inward, is the fastest way out.
Now, the entertainer says he has reached a point where he gets it, and he has nothing more to prove. “I have seen it all, done it all and I have it all, and when you have seen it all, done it all and have it all, you look up and you want to do what is needed.”
As to what is needed at this time, the artiste who recently acquired his Master’s Degree in Carnival Studies, said what is needed is for the children of his country, Trinidad and Tobago to be higher educated, “and not be fully dunce.” He went on to say that the country must also understand that oil and gas is not the richest resource. “It’s the people. It’s the talent. I am about to take that journey,” he said, referring to his plans to ensure that these needs are realized.
‘Like Ah Boss’ hits movie theaters in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana on February 12th.
Caribbean Buzz
Charly Black, Kevin Lyttle Release ‘Summer Banger’ Produced by Global Hitmaker, Walshy Fire.
Two of the Caribbean’s most legendary hitmakers have joined forces for what is shaping up to be one of the Caribbean’s biggest records of the year.
Dancehall superstar Charly Black, whose global smash “Gyal You A Party Animal” has amassed more than one billion streams worldwide, joins forces with St. Vincent Soca hit maker, Kevin Lyttle, whose timeless international hit “Turn Me On” has generated hundreds of millions of streams. That single remains one of the most recognizable Caribbean songs ever recorded.
The single, “Island Ting,” unites the music of Jamaica and St. Vincent & The Grenadines, celebrating the beauty, confidence, and irresistible energy of island women. More than just a song, “Island Ting” is a celebration of the Caribbean, its vibrant diaspora, and everyone around the world who embraces the region’s unmatched culture, music, and love of celebration.
Blending irresistible Dancehall and Soca influences with an unmistakable tropical vibe, the record is poised to become the soundtrack of the summer, says a media release issued.
Produced by well known international producer, Walshy Fire, with the instrumental crafted by acclaimed producer Jason Julian, “Island Ting” is already making waves across the streaming landscape. The single has secured significant editorial playlist support from Apple Music and Spotify, with Spotify further backing the release through premium placement on its coveted Mobile Home Banner – one of the platform’s most prominent promotional spaces for new music.
Industry insiders are already tipping “Island Ting” as one of the Caribbean’s defining songs of the summer, with momentum expected to carry through Notting Hill Carnival, into Trinidad Carnival 2027, and beyond. From beach parties and festivals to clubs, radio, and playlists around the world, the record has all the ingredients of a timeless Caribbean anthem.
“Island Ting” is available now on all major streaming and digital platforms.
Ebuzz News
Seven Songs. One Big Artiste. Grenada’s Spice Mas Better Be Ready for Skinny Banton.
Spice Mas, like every other carnival, is seasonal, but for Carriacou, Grenada artiste, Skinny Banton, music isn’t. He has unleashed seven songs in 2026, and like clockwork he’s locked in and ready to deliver his energy, good vibes and storytelling strengths to audiences celebrating another memorable Spice Mas experience this year.
For Skinny Banton, whose real name is Shirlan George, Grenada’s Jab culture is fuel to his fire. In the past, songs like ‘Soak It Good’ and ‘Wrong Again,’ brought him tremendous acclaim across the region and internationally. This season, The Jambalasse project is anticipated to be one of the artiste’s most powerful contributions, signaling his intentionality to promote his country’s authentic culture, wherever he goes. “With this project we’re trying to keep the history, while celebrating the present by revamping a song that was done by Moss International 35 years ago,” he said. That song was called ‘Jambalasse Rule,’ released in 1991. “We revamped the riddim because it was one of the first songs considered to be an original Jab Jab song from Grenada, at that time,” he explained.
Proud of his personal efforts to keep the awareness on Grenada’s cultural traditions, Skinny Banton advocates for the continued celebration of these traditions and understands his role as an artiste. “No matter what we face as artistes in this space, we stay true to our mission. I have several songs that the people will enjoy in Spice Mas and beyond. One of my personal favourites is ‘Pain,’ a song I would like to share with my fans in Trinidad and Tobago when Carnival 2027 comes around,” he said.
Strengthening Others
Other tracks released by Skinny include, ‘When Yuh Eating,’ ‘Right Up,’ ‘Black Fuh Juvay,’ ‘Can’t Stop Us,’ ‘Carnival Traffic’ featuring Jamaican artiste, I Octane, ‘My Behaviour,’ featuring Tonic X and ‘Water Line Burst,’ collaboratively done with Nicki Akull. “The collaborations done with Tonic X and Nicki Akull mean a lot to me. They are upcoming artistes who I share good vibes with. When I was younger and had hopes of connecting and collaborating with bigger artistes, it was not easy,” he recalled, adding that it often felt daunting. He says because he understands the feeling, he is happy to be able to help these up-and-coming entertainers. “This was just my way of giving them strength and encouragement. I feel like nobody takes you seriously when you don’t have a foot in the door – they refuse to embrace you because you are not known. I want them to keep pushing after this,” he added.
Dedicated and refocused, Skinny Banton is pushing full speed ahead. “I’m doing music videos for most of the songs. I already have a video for ‘Black Fuh Juvay,’ which has been uploaded to YouTube and all other streaming platforms, and the video for ‘My Behaviour’ with Tonic X is also out,” he said. Grateful to Jamaican artiste, IOctane for the strength given to him on their collaboration on the single, ‘Carnival Traffic,’ Skinny said this particular song is one that he loves, and he hopes the people will, as well.
For the past three years, the artiste had been approached by upcoming entertainer, Nicki Akull for the single they eventually brought forward this year. “Waterline Buss – Nicki Akull’s persistence and determination really brought this song into existence,” he said, happy to have eventually come around to making it happen. Even with such a vast number of singles released, Skinny Banton says he is ready to work with artistes across the Diaspora. “I’m still creating, still working and I’m looking forward to establishing more ground in the Soca community and around the world.”
Social Media, Music and Trends.
Certainly attuned to the necessary promotional adjustments that many artistes have been forced to adopt, Skinny Banton says he hopes that despite the rise in social media content distribution, true talent and good music is not sacrificed. “I feel like content creation online should not take away from artistes creating and delivering great music, because without the content, the music should still stand on its own, and with the content, the people still need the music,” he shared. “I also feel like a lot of trends are created from making yourself an online spectacle and not the music being able to sustain itself, so you may get attention for what you post as content, but the music you’re posting the content for sometimes does not have enough substance to sustain itself for longevity,” he rationalized.
Thoughtful, conscious and truly talented, Skinny Banton is a necessary part of the Caribbean’s creative landscape. His storytelling ability, coupled with his appreciation for the art and vocal capacity, makes him an artiste everyone should tap in to. “I want to encourage the young artistes to stay focused and keep pushing and never be discouraged by the many things that’s said on social media. They must work hard to establish their business to suit them, because every artiste will do things differently, when it comes to the business; Never be discouraged by the naysayers,” he advised. He thanked his fans for their love and support over the years. “People who’ve been supporting from day one and continue to support, as well as the new supporters I’ve gotten along the way – thank you. To the DJs and radio personalities, I appreciate you. One hand doesn’t clap. Thank you for keeping my songs on rotation and I hope you all continue to support me.”